Football · 1985–
Cristiano Ronaldo Life & Career Timeline
Madeira beginnings to records on football’s largest stages.
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19851991199720032009201520212026
CRCristiano RonaldoFootball
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About this timeline
About Cristiano Ronaldo
Clubs, championships, international milestones and relentless reinvention across an extraordinary football career.
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Cristiano Ronaldo biography
Cristiano Ronaldo timeline: key events
Explore 17 documented Moments in chronological order. Read the dates, locations and source references below. Where available, additional context explains why a milestone matters.
Born in Madeira
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born on the Portuguese island of Madeira.
Source: www.britannica.comJoins Sporting CP academy
At 12, he moved to Lisbon to enter Sporting’s youth academy.
Source: www.britannica.comSporting first-team debut
Ronaldo made his senior league debut for Sporting CP.
Source: www.britannica.comSigns for Manchester United
Alex Ferguson brought the 18-year-old winger to the Premier League.
Source: www.britannica.comFirst major trophy
He scored in the FA Cup final as Manchester United defeated Millwall.
Source: www.britannica.comFirst World Cup
Ronaldo helped Portugal reach the World Cup semifinal.
Source: www.britannica.comChampions League and Ballon d’Or
A prolific season brought European glory and his first Ballon d’Or.
Source: www.britannica.comRecord transfer to Real Madrid
Real Madrid signed Ronaldo for a then-world-record transfer fee.
Source: www.britannica.comLa Décima
Real Madrid won its tenth European Cup with Ronaldo completing a record scoring campaign.
Source: www.britannica.comPortugal wins Euro 2016
Portugal won its first major international trophy with Ronaldo as captain.
Source: www.britannica.comMoves to Juventus
After nine years in Madrid, he began a new chapter in Serie A.
Source: www.britannica.comUEFA Nations League title
Portugal won the inaugural Nations League on home soil.
Source: www.britannica.comReturns to Manchester United
Ronaldo returned to the club where he first became a global star.
Source: www.britannica.comFifth World Cup
He became the first male player to score at five different World Cups.
Source: www.britannica.comNew chapter with Al Nassr
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr and brought unprecedented attention to Saudi football.
Source: www.britannica.comScores his 900th senior career goal
Ronaldo reached the widely reported 900-goal landmark for club and country in Portugal’s Nations League match against Croatia.
Connected: Football
Source: www.uefa.comSecond UEFA Nations League title
Ronaldo scored Portugal’s second equaliser against Spain before his country won the Nations League final on penalties.
Why it matters: At 40, he became the first player over that age to play and score in a Nations League final, helping Portugal become the competition’s first two-time champion.
Connected: Football
Source: www.uefa.com Source: www.uefa.comExplore related timelines
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This educational timeline is not endorsed by or affiliated with Cristiano Ronaldo or their representatives. Event text is original editorial copy based on the linked sources.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY 2.0
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About the Cristiano Ronaldo timeline
Who is Cristiano Ronaldo?
Clubs, championships, international milestones and relentless reinvention across an extraordinary football career.
How many moments are included?
This public timeline currently contains 17 sourced moments spanning 1985–.
Who maintains this timeline?
This public timeline is created and maintained by Memmie Editorial Team. Schools, clubs and cultural organisations can apply to become timeline partners.
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